Yogsar Prakaran

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Yogsar Prakaran" by Pravin K Mota, based on the provided Gujarati text:

Book Title: Yogsar Prakaran (The Essence of Yoga) Author: Compiled and commented upon by Pandit Shrimad Pravinchandra Khimji Mota, based on the original work by ancient sage Chirantanacharya. Publisher: Gitarth Ganga Overall Theme: The book focuses on the path to liberation (moksha) through the practice of Yoga, interpreted within the framework of Jain philosophy. It emphasizes the importance of inner transformation and equanimity (Samya-bhav) as the core essence of spiritual practice.

Key Concepts and Structure:

The book is structured into five "Prakaran" (sections or chapters), each delving into a crucial aspect of the spiritual path:

1. Preamble/Introduction (Pages 5-11):

   • The introduction highlights the analogy of a torch: being lost in darkness is pitiable, but not knowing how to use a torch is even more pitiable. Similarly, a soul wandering in the darkness of the world without Jain dharma is pitiable, but one who has attained Jain dharma yet lacks its profound wisdom and commitment to the path is more pitiable.
   • The "Gitarth Ganga" institution aims to illuminate the secrets of Jain dharma through 108 main and 10,008 sub-topics, consolidating and reconciling scattered scriptural insights.
   • The text acknowledges the difficulty of these profound teachings for ordinary individuals and credits Acharya Shrimad Vijay Yugbhushan Surishwarji Maharaj for making them accessible through discourses.
   • The purpose of this publication is to present the commentary on "Yogsar Prakaran" by Pandit Pravinchandra Mota, making the profound secrets of the scriptures available.

2. First Prakaran: Upadesha on the True Nature of the Divine (Yathavasthit Dev Swaroup Upadesh) (Pages 12-53):

   • Definition of Yoga: Yoga is defined as the inner state of the soul that connects it with liberation, and the actions that support this state.
   • The Divine (Dev): The text emphasizes meditating on the "Vitaraag" (one free from attachment and aversion) as the true object of meditation. Through intense meditation on the Vitaraag, the soul becomes like the Vitaraag and attains the peak of yoga.
   • The Path to Vitaraagata: Attaining the Vitaraag state requires the destruction of "Anantanubandhi Kashay" (the deepest and most persistent passions/kashayas). This leads to equanimity (Samya-bhav), which is essential for clearly perceiving the Vitaraag nature of the soul.
   • The Soul as the Divine: The text asserts that the soul itself is the Paramatma (Supreme Soul), currently obscured by karma. When purity is achieved through equanimity, the Paramatma within becomes clearly visible.
   • Importance of Following God's Command: The ultimate worship of the Paramatma is through diligently following their teachings (Agna). Adherence to divine commands brings happiness, while defiance leads to suffering.
   • True Devotion: True devotion involves understanding the Paramatma's intrinsic nature, free from attachment and aversion. Those who insist their deity is supreme and harbor ill-will towards others' deities are not true devotees.
   • The Role of Equanimity (Samya): Equanimity is the essence of all yoga practices. It is the key to realizing the soul's inherent divine nature.

3. Second Prakaran: Upadesha on the Essence of Truth (Tattva Saropadesh) (Pages 54-101):

   • Obstacle of "Drishti-raag": The primary cause of suffering and continued transmigration is "Drishti-raag" – the passionate attachment to one's own views and aversion to others'. This blinds individuals from seeing the true essence of reality.
   • The Nature of Drishti-raag: This section describes how beings, influenced by the faults of the current era, are often swayed by moha (delusion). They lack the cultivation of virtues like maitri (friendship) and thus, despite external efforts, destroy themselves and mislead others.
   • The Importance of Drishti-raag Renunciation: It is crucial to abandon the blind attachment to one's own perspective.
   • What is Truth (Tattva)? The ultimate truth for the soul is "Samya-bhav" (equanimity). Maintaining an equal attitude towards praise and criticism, honor and dishonor, even in the face of a stone or gold, or life and death, is the essence of equanimity.
   • Equanimity as the Goal: All efforts should be directed towards manifesting equanimity, as it is the foundation for attaining omniscience (Kevalgyan).
   • The Core of All Dharmas is Samya: The ultimate essence of all religious practices is equanimity.

4. Third Prakaran: Upadesha on Equanimity (Samya-opadesh) (Pages 102-143):

   • Equanimity as Natural Bliss: Equanimity is inherently blissful. Worldly pleasures, while seemingly enjoyable, are fleeting and ultimately lead to suffering and further karmic bondage.
   • The Difficulty of Attaining Equanimity: It is difficult for the deluded mind to perceive the true bliss of equanimity, mistaking temporary sensory pleasures for true happiness.
   • The Path to Equanimity: Equanimity requires constant effort to conquer afflictions (kashayas) like anger, pride, delusion, and greed, as well as emotions like joy and sorrow (nokashayas).
   • The Importance of Right Conduct: All actions, whether external observances or internal states, are considered futile if they do not lead to equanimity.
   • The Power of Equanimity: Those with equanimity are unaffected by external circumstances. Even in the face of severe hardships or adversities, they remain steadfast.
   • The Role of Effort: While desiring equanimity is easy, achieving it is difficult. The text uses the analogy of a child being enticed with sweets to stop them from going astray, suggesting that even the temptation of the fruits of meditative concentration can be used to steer the restless mind away from external distractions and towards equanimity.
   • Renouncing Attachment: Just as a child learns to distinguish between friend and foe, the wise detach from the concepts of friend and enemy in external matters to maintain equanimity.

5. Fourth Prakaran: Upadesha on Strength/Substance (Sattva-opadesh) (Pages 144-180):

   • Sattva is Essential for Spiritual Progress: Equanimity can only be achieved by those possessing inner strength or "Sattva."
   • The Weakness of "Hinasattva": Individuals lacking Sattva are not fit for spiritual practices. Even when they undertake vows, they fail to observe them properly. They forget their vows and act impulsively, unable to strive for equanimity.
   • The Ineffectiveness of External Teachings for the Unenlightened: Without Sattva, even teachings from gurus, scriptures, or contemplations cannot lead to welfare. Those lacking Sattva are constantly agitated by their senses and afflictions.
   • The Nature of Sattva: Those with Sattva are steadfast. They are not swayed by happiness or sorrow in times of prosperity or adversity. They are calm, composed, and grave.
   • Sattva Leads to Siddhi: Only those possessing Sattva can achieve equanimity and ultimately attain liberation (Siddhi).

6. Fifth Prakaran: Upadesha for Cultivating Purity of Mind (Bhavashuddhi Janakopadesh) (Pages 181-237):

   • The Necessity of Purity of Mind: Sattva is essential for equanimity, and purity of mind is essential for manifesting Sattva.
   • Purity through Devotion and Effort: Monks (Munis) who engage in religious practices with intense concentration of mind, speech, and body, cultivate purity of mind.
   • The Path to Purity: Those who strive for purity of mind become virtuous (Sattvic). Through the worship of the Paramatma, they attain equanimity, which ultimately leads to liberation.
   • Detaching the Mind, Body, and Senses: To firmly establish the mind, speech, and body in the path of yoga, one must make them "like the dead" (Mrutaprayah). This means controlling their tendencies towards external objects and desires.
   • Restraining the Mind: Yogis must control the mind's tendency towards unnecessary thoughts, restrain uncontrolled speech, and curb the body's restlessness. This effort leads to purity of mind and the ability to cultivate equanimity.
   • The Importance of Propriety and Contentment: In all actions, one should consider propriety. By adhering to propriety, the mind, freed from delusion, achieves purity. The abandonment of greed and the cultivation of contentment are essential for mental purity.
   • The Goal of Spiritual Practice: The ultimate aim is to make the mind pure through contemplation and devotion, thereby reaching the state of equanimity and ultimately achieving liberation.

Key Takeaways:

• The Centrality of Equanimity (Samya-bhav): The entire text revolves around the concept of equanimity as the ultimate goal and the means to achieve it.
• Inner Transformation Over External Rituals: While external practices are mentioned, the emphasis is consistently on inner purification, control of the senses and mind, and the cultivation of virtues.
• The Dangers of "Drishti-raag": The text strongly warns against the pitfalls of attachment to one's own doctrines and aversion to others', highlighting it as a major impediment to spiritual progress.
• The Importance of Sattva (Inner Strength): True spiritual advancement requires inner strength and determination to overcome passions and persevere in the path.
• The Soul's True Nature: The book guides the reader to realize that the soul's inherent nature is pure and divine, obscured by karma, and that yoga (in the Jain context) is the path to rediscovering this true self.
• The Guidance of Scriptures and Gurus: The text implicitly emphasizes the importance of scriptural study and the guidance of enlightened masters in understanding and practicing these profound teachings.

In essence, "Yogsar Prakaran" presents a systematic Jain approach to Yoga, focusing on the path of equanimity, inner purity, and self-realization through rigorous spiritual discipline.